Anaheim Storm Hire Derek Keenan as GM and Head Coach
June 24, 2004 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Anaheim Storm News Release
Anaheim, CA (June 24, 2004) - The National Lacrosse League's (NLL) Anaheim Storm have hired Derek Keenan as general manager and head coach. Keenan brings more than 35 years of experience as a player, coach and general manager, most recently with the NLL's Toronto Rock where he helped the team win four NLL Championships in the last five years.
"I am joining Anaheim because of the strong commitment I saw by the ownership team," said Keenan. "They are committed to treating their players as well as their staff right and they are committed to making this a winning franchise. As general manager and head coach of the team, that means a lot to me."
Keenan credits his knowledge of coaching and team building to his experience in Toronto and Buffalo.
"I spent the last several years learning from two of the best in the game, Les Bartley and Ed Comeau," said Keenan. "I know how important it is to have a strong group of leaders on the team who buy into our philosophies, strategies and the structured brand of lacrosse we believe in."
Keenan played under Bartley in Buffalo and worked beside him in Toronto where Bartley was the general manager and head coach. Comeau was assistant coach with Keenan in Toronto.
An Oshawa, Ontario native, Keenan joined the indoor league as a player in 1992 after an already successful career in both field and box lacrosse. He won two championships with the Bandits (1992, 1993) and then in 1999, signed with the Toronto Rock. In the team's inaugural year, they won the Championship and Keenan made the transition from player to assistant coach.
His long list of accolades include: World Field Lacrosse Silver Medalist (1986); Top 20 All Time Scoring in Mann Cup History; M.I.L.L. All Pro (1992, 1993) and three-time NCAA All-American at Ithaca College.
For more information, including Season Ticket Packages, visit www.anaheimstorm.com or call (714) 704-2934.
National Lacrosse League Stories from June 24, 2004
- Anaheim Storm Hire Derek Keenan as GM and Head Coach - Anaheim Storm
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